Nov. 4

Nov. 4 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            The radio and television were full of Halloween stories last week but according to the locals it was a flop around here. I had put up a “sorry no treats this year” sign so we had no trick or treaters but just a few doors down they had only 15 kids drop by. This is by far the least amount of kids ever: we usually average around 40 kids. I’ve heard reports from people in Morden and Altona who also stated that their numbers were down. So is Halloween going to go by the way side and become one of those olden day stories?

Miller Fall Concert

            The Miller Collegiate presented their fall concert on Tuesday, Oct.29 at Buhler Hall in Gretna.  Rosenfeld was well represented in band with solo performances by Tom Wolfe and Nate Smith and in choir by awesome solos by Madison Smith and Ashton Cornelson. I’m sorry to say that I couldn’t stay for the entire concert but it was good to hear one of my most favorite songs before I left which is Down in the River. It’s on the movie track of O Brother Where Art Thou in which George Clooney stars as an escaped convict.

Hockey update

            The Altona Bantam Maroons were busy again this past weekend. Saturday, Nov. 2 they played in Altona against the team from Morris, Red River, and lost 8-2. Then Sunday they drove to Sanford to play against one of the Macdonald teams and came out shining with a score of 10 – 2. Even though I didn’t attend any of the games, as one of the grandmas I can brag that Thomas Wolfe is racking up points with goals and assists.

Volleyball update

            The girls MCI volleyball team participated in a tournament on Saturday, Nov. 2. They traveled by bus to La Broquerie and played all day making it to the semi-finals. The games were close scores and the girls came home exhausted but satisfied with their effort.

School update

            Here are a few reminders for the next week. Monday, Nov. 11 there is no school. Thursday, Nov.14 the Stay and Play program will take place from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Then also on Thursday the Boys and Girls Club will meet at the school from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Please call Gladys Klassen, the school secretary, if you have any questions.

Amber’s blog

            I am super pumped to be going to London on Friday! The plan is that I will go to stay at my friend Anneke’s for night on Thursday, and then we’ll head out to the airport first thing the next morning. No, I’m not packed yet, but I’ve got my suitcase out and am ready to start! I’ve also finally received my Ireland trip time, which will be the 3rd weekend in November.
            Travel plans aside, I had a great last week. On Tuesday, the family and I went to enjoy the Bremen Freimarkt together, which is a huge carnival. It was super fun to try out the different games at the booths, and eat some traditional German Würst and pastries. Other than that, the school days were fairly average, just bringing kids to soccer and keeping them out of trouble at home. On Friday evening, I had church practice, and on Saturday I took care of the boys while the parents were away, which also included a visit to Grandma’s (Toby’s mom). On Sunday, I went to a spinning class (a fancy exercise bike) and in the afternoon, I was able to play piano in church. It is such a treat to be able to serve God with my gifts, and just to play piano again! Afterwards, a whole group of us from church went to the Freimarkt for the evening. Other than that, there isn’t much new… I’m just realizing how fast this whole experience has gone. October is somehow basically gone, and so I’m left with only 2 months until my plane ride home. Lord willing, of course.

Progress report

            I am happy to report that slowing down with the physio has paid off; much less pain and not such a grumpy Tina. We have been going to Winkler for therapy but decided that since the weather would soon be snowy; it would be easier to switch to Altona. They also have a handi-van to pick me up and this will be a much shorter drive. Dave is my full time caregiver and Carol Schroeder has been a God sent. She not only comes to sit with me; she brings lunch and eats with me. Sunday she popped by with a cloth pouch which fastens to my walker. It has five pockets which now hold a Sudoku book, pills, TV remote, phone and odds and ends. It makes life easier. Also on Sunday, Mike and Anna, Gabby and Tom came for lunch which Mike went to Altona to pick up. Ang’s chicken and pizza was a very good treat. Now back to the exercising.

October 28

October 28, 2013 Rosenfeld news by Tina Wolfe

            The wind has been howling for a number of days and now the trees are pretty much bare. I think the leaves have been blown to Minnesota and even the neighbours can’t say that our leaves are on their yard. I’m just happy that we still have no snow; once that stuff shows up I’ll have a tough time getting around with the wheelchair.

Dedication

            People gathered at the school playground on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 6:00 p.m. for the dedication of a local young woman. Kendall Wiebe died in 2012 in an unusual accident where a vehicle crashed into a Winnipeg hair salon where she was working. Art and MaryAnn Wiebe, her parents, have set up a scholarship in her name and now dedicated a bench at the new playground in her name. Approximately 50 people gathered to give the Wiebe family support.

Hockey tournament

            The Altona Bantam Maroons held their first hockey tournament this past weekend and Saturday, Oct. 26 found Dave and me at the rink cheering on our grandson, Thomas, as he hit the ice.  He came out in fine form and scored the first goal of the game. They played hard and won the game 8 - 6 against the Winkler team. We didn’t stay for the second game when they met the Carman team. This proved too much and though the score was 5 – 3 for Carman until the last 5 minutes of the game, Altona ran out of gas and lost 9 – 3. On Sunday the playoff game saw the Altona Bantam teams play against each other for bronze. The team Thomas plays on won 5 -3. Another player from Rosenfeld on this team is Conner Winter and he plays defense. Good tournament guys.

School news

            The Altona and Area Resource Center will again be offering the program Stay and Play at the Rosenfeld School. Candice Wiens will be the facilitator and she will be providing the play date every Thursday morning from 9:30 – 11:30 beginning November 7.  All parents with preschool children are welcome to attend. It’s a great way for new parents to get familiar with the school and recent residents to meet and get acquainted. Please call the school if you have any questions.

            On November 1 the MCI will be hosting a Soup and Pie supper beginning at 5:00 which will be followed by their fall concert at 7:00 pm.

            The Rosenfeld School students and staff will be holding their Remembrance Day Program on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 2:30. Everyone is welcome to attend.

            There will be no classes on Friday, Nov. 8 due to report card writing.

            School will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11 – Remembrance Day.

Progress report

            As you’ve read in the column above, I had a very exciting weekend and attended two hockey games. Mike and Anna shared their vehicle in order for me to be able to attend due to our truck being way too high for me to slide into. Last week I went to physio three times and I can assure you that it was too much; by Friday evening I could barely walk. My ankles felt as though they were on fire and my toes, well, who knew how much a person bent them when walking. I ended up taking ibuprofen and napping a lot. This will not happen again; I don’t need to push this hard. It will only cause setbacks. My goal for the right knee was met last week with the bend reaching the 115 degree angle. The left knee will take longer but the bend is slowly increasing and reached a 75 degree angle this past Monday. Because of all the pressure on my wrists the tingling in my fingers will not be going away any time soon but physio has given me exercises to relax the neck and shoulder muscles. People ask me about what I do to keep busy and the answer would definitely be exercises. I very seldom sit and read without first doing some bending or stretching either legs or arms. This of course leads to napping. I can’t end this paragraph without thanking all the people who continue to offer support; whether with meals, prayer, phone calls or offering to sit with me. Dave and I appreciate every gesture.

            Due to my current circumstances I rely on Rosenfeld residents to help me deliver a column each week. This week I would especially like to thank Carol Schroeder and Gladys Klassen. Carol assisted with the Kendall Wiebe dedication story and Gladys for all her help with the Rosenfeld School updates.